System and Method for Communicating with an Unpowered Device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for performing operations using low power, including control circuitry; a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving RF signals at one or more frequencies; an internal power source; and switching circuitry coupled between the control circuitry and the internal power source, the switching circuitry having a control terminal coupled to an output of the RF circuit. The apparatus is configured in a normal mode of operation and an off mode of operation in which the apparatus is powered down, and wherein in the off mode of operation energy from the received RF signals control a state of the switching circuitry to selectively couple the internal power source with the control circuitry for performing one or more operations.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) from U.S. provisional application No. 61/179,482, filed Mar. 15, 2013, entitled, “System and Method for Communicating with an Unpowered Device,” the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENTIAL LISTING, ETC.

None.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates in general to appliances or electronic devices, and more particularly, to electronic devices which utilize radio frequency (RF) communication for communicating while consuming little to no power.

2. Description of the Related Art

As the complexity of electronic “gadgets” continues to rise, development cycles continue to shrink and more devices depend on embedded processors to provide a feature-rich experience. Many products have come to depend on complex embedded firmware to bring life to their functionality.

As a result of the complexity and short development cycles, many companies find themselves in the unenviable position of having to update product firmware (to fix bugs or add a complete function) after production of the product has begun. Depending on the timing and importance of the update, this sometimes means having to un-box products to re-program non-volatile memory within the product. This process can be expensive and time consuming, leading to both budget and schedule misses.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments provide a significant improvement over existing approaches by providing a method to install updated firmware and/or perform other tasks or operations without having to un-package and then power-up a unit when late changes become necessary. The method makes use of wireless communication and a self-contained power supply to support the tasks to be performed.

According to an example embodiment, there is disclosed a device including processing circuitry; a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving RF signals at one or more frequencies; an internal power source; and switching circuitry coupled between the processing circuitry and the internal power source. The switching circuitry has a control terminal coupled to an output of the RF circuit such that energy from the received RF signals control a state of the switching circuitry to selectively couple the internal power source with the processing circuitry for performing one or more operations while a remainder of the device is unpowered. The one or more operations may include, for example, a download operation in which data or firmware executable by the device is downloaded into device memory. The one or more operations may also include an upload operation in which device data is transmitted by the RF circuit over the air interface to a destination. In this way, the processing circuitry may perform a limited number of operations without the device needing to be electrically connected to an external power supply or source.

In an example embodiment, the RF circuit includes a first antenna for receiving RF signals at a first range of frequencies for controlling the state of the switching circuitry and a second antenna for receiving RF signals at a second range of frequencies for communicating at least one of instructions and data of the received RF signals with the processing circuitry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of the disclosed embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portion of an electronics device according to one or more example embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portion of a system including the electronics device of FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portion of an electronics device according to another example embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a portion of a system including the electronics of FIG. 1, according to another example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc. and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the terms “a” and ^(an) herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the disclosure and that other alternative configurations are possible.

Example embodiments are generally directed to a circuit of a device which utilizes a received RF signal for connecting to a relatively small, internal power source to allow for the use of large memory capacities without the need of an external power supply or sizeable internal battery to supply power to the device. Example embodiments enable the device to communicate and perform predetermined operations despite being in an otherwise off mode, thus consuming zero or near zero energy. An RF signal is applied to a circuit of the unpowered device, generating a current to close a switching component and power the device sufficiently to perform one or more intended operations.

Reference will now be made in detail to the example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, an example embodiment includes circuit 1 of a device 100. Device 100 may be any type of device, such as an electronics device or appliance. Circuit 1 may include an internal power source 10, a processor 20 having memory 21 communicatively coupled thereto, an RF circuit 22, switching circuitry 24 coupled between the power source 10 and processor 20 and having a control terminal coupled to RF circuit 22 and processor 20. In general terms, an RF signal is received by RF circuit 22 and used to control switching circuitry 24 so as to provide power from power source 10 to processor 20, memory 21 and, as needed, RF circuit 22, in order to perform one or more operations before removing power to processor 20 via switching circuitry 24. It is understood that device 100 includes other circuitry and components to perform various functions during normal operation thereof when powered by a traditional power source. Circuit 1 may be located on the controller card of device 100, for example.

Processor 20 may be any circuitry that performs or controls the performance of the one or more operations during the time it is powered by power source 10. In an example embodiment, processor 20 may execute instructions maintained in memory 21 for performing the one or more operations. Though processor 20 may, in one embodiment, be a microprocessor or controller which performs operations or controls the operation of device 100 when device 100 is powered by a traditional power supply in a normal mode of operation, in another embodiment processor 20 is limited to performing mostly those one or more operations that are desired to be performed during the time processor 20 is powered by power source 10. In yet another alternative embodiment, processor 20 is implemented as a state machine or is otherwise hardwired.

Memory 21 may include nonvolatile system memory 21A for storing program code for operating device 100 and/or local memory 21B. It is understood that memory 21 may be implemented as any of a number of different types of memory.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, power source 10 supplies power to processor 20, memory 21 and optionally RF circuit 22 when initially connected thereto by RF circuit 22 via switching circuitry 24. In an example embodiment, power source 10 may be a battery of sufficient size to allow processor 20 to perform those operations that are desired to be performed during the time power source 10 sources power to processor 20. Battery size and capacity may vary by application and be based upon, among other things, the number and complexity of operations to be performed and the frequency with which such operations are expected to be repeated. It is understood that power source 10 may be other sources of power. In another example embodiment, power source 10 may be or include a capacitor which is charged by or through RF circuit 22 and have a capacitance size to allow for circuit 1 to perform the above-described one or more operations when coupled to power source 10.

RF circuit 22 includes RF receiver circuitry to receive an RF signal, and circuitry for using the received RF signal both to energize switching circuitry 24 for establishing an electrical connection between power source 10 and processor 20 and memory 21, and to communicate data with processor 20 or otherwise access memory 21. RF circuit 22 may include at least one antenna for receiving the RF signal over the air interface. In one example embodiment, a single antenna may be used to both energize switching circuitry 24 and communicate data with processor 20. This embodiment may, for example, provide for limited energizing or limited data communication, or both. In another example embodiment, at least two antennae are employed, including a first lower frequency antenna for use in energizing switching circuitry 24 and a second higher frequency antenna for communicating data with processor 20 at a relatively higher bandwidth. RF circuit 22 may include one or more filters and/or amplifier circuitry for suitably selecting and/or conditioning received RF signals for use in energizing switching circuitry 24 and communicating data with processor 20.

RF circuit 22 may receive RF signals following any one or more RF communication standards and/or protocols, including RFID and the IEEE 802.11 standards.

As discussed, when activated switching circuitry 24 provides an electrical connection between power source 10 and processor 20, memory 21 and optionally RF circuit 22 to allow power source 10 to supply power thereto. Switching circuitry 24 may have a source terminal coupled to power source 10, a drain terminal coupled to the power supply input of processor 20 and memory 21, and at least one control terminal. A control terminal may be coupled to RF circuit 22 for receiving the portion of the received RF signal for energizing switching circuitry 24 to charge the control terminal so as to close the connection between the source terminal and the drain terminal of switching circuitry 24. As can be seen, closing the connection between the source and drain terminals results in power source 10 being connected and supplying power to processor 20 and memory 21. The control terminal of switching circuitry 24 may also be coupled to an output of processor 20. In this way, processor 20 may maintain the charged state of the control terminal (to keep switching circuitry 24 closed) during the time operations are being performed, and discharge or de-energize the control terminal when the operations are complete, so as to open the connection between the source and drain terminals of switching circuitry 24, resulting in power source 10 being disconnected from processor 20 and power source 10 thereafter having no load. Switching circuitry 24 may be constructed with a relay circuit or field effect power transistor or the like.

Circuit 1 of device 100 may further include a main power connector 26 coupled to the supply terminal of processor 20. This allows for processor 20 to perform operations during a normal mode of operation of device 100. Such coupling may be direct or via second switching circuitry (shown in FIG. 3). Further, circuit 1 may include a charging circuit for charging power source 10 (when implemented as a battery) when a power supply is connected to main power connector 26.

In another example embodiment, device 100 may include a main processor (not shown) that draws more power than power source 10 may be able to provide such that processor 20 is used mostly or entirely to perform operations in association with RF signals received by RF circuit 22 while device 100, including the main processor, is otherwise unpowered. In this embodiment, memory 21 may be a two port memory having a first port for communicating its contents with processor 20 during the time when device 100 is mostly unpowered and a second port for communicating its contents with the main processor during normal operation of device 100. Alternatively, memory 21 may be a switched memory for communicating its contents with both processor 20 and the main processor.

The operation of circuit 1 of device 100 will be described. Initially, device 100, and particularly circuit 1, is unpowered, consuming no power. Upon reception of one or more RF signals, RF circuit 22 provides signal energy from the RF signal to charge or close switching circuitry 24, which connects power source 10 to processor 20 and memory 21 so as to power the same. Once powered, processor 20 may drive switching circuitry 24 to maintain switching circuitry 24 in the closed position. When powered, processor 20 is also capable of performing a number of functions.

The one or more RF signals may include authentication signal data which processor 20 may use to authenticate the source of the one or more RF signals. Authentication will serve to prevent a hacker from accessing device 100. Following authentication, processor 20 may perform any one or more operations.

For example, processor 20 may download firmware received by RF circuit 22 over the air interface, and program the firmware into memory 21A so as to replace firmware previously stored therein. In this way, firmware for device 100 may be updated without having to power up device 100 using a traditional power source through main power connector 26. It is understood that processor 20 may also download data for storage in memory 21, such as country or region specific data in which device 100 is intended to be sold.

In addition or in the alternative, RF circuit 22 includes an RF transmitter and processor 20 may upload data for transmission by RF circuit 22. In this embodiment, RF communication may be powered by power source 10 for both receiving and transmitting RF signals over the air interface. Such uploaded data may include, for example, information relating to the particular location of device 100. In this embodiment, device 100 is capable of being located despite being unpowered except for power source 10.

It is understood that processor 20 may perform any of a number of operations as specified in the one or more RF signals received by RF circuit 22 or as specified in memory 21 during the time processor 20 is powered by power source 10. It is further understood that the operations performed during the time power source 10 supplies power to processor 20 may be different from the operations performed by device 10 during the normal mode of operation in which device 10 is powered by an external power source via main power connector 26.

As discussed, the example embodiments allow for communication with device 100 when device 100 is otherwise unpowered and consuming no power. In an example embodiment, device 100 may be boxed for shipment and subsequent sale, such as in a cardboard box. Further, device 100 may be contained in a protective bag within the cardboard box. In this embodiment, the antenna or antennae of RF circuit 22 may be located largely external to device 100.

With reference to FIG. 2, antenna assembly 202 of RF circuit 22 may be located on, embedded in or integrated with a protective bag 204 so as to allow for RF communication with device 100 despite being placed in bag 204 and contained in box 206. Antenna assembly 202 may include a wire end 202A that may be inserted into device 100 and provide a temporary electrical connection with the rest of RF circuit 22 of circuit 1. The temporary electrical connection may be a pressure fit type of connection, similar to the type seen in some devices that are purchased with a battery and a removable piece of material is disposed between the battery and a battery terminal so as to prevent battery discharge until slidingly removed following purchase of the device. In this case, wire end 202A of antenna assembly 202 may be a smooth piece of electrically conductive material that physically contacts the circuitry of RF circuit 22 so that device 100, despite being unpowered, may be placed in protective bag 204 and boxed for shipment or sale yet remain capable of receiving RF signals. Device 100 may include a slot through which wire end 202A of antenna assembly 202 is inserted in order to temporarily electrically connect with the remaining part of RF circuit 22.

As mentioned, antenna assembly 202 may be located on, embedded within or integrated with protective bag 204. Specifically, the antenna portion 202B of antenna assembly 202, which receives RF signals, may be disposed along an outer portion of protective bag 204 and secured thereto using tape, an adhesive or the like. Wire end 202A extends inwardly from an inner surface of bag 204 so as to connect with the remainder of RF circuit 22 appearing in device 100. In this way, circuit 1 of device 100 may be capable of receiving RF signals via antenna assembly 202 and RF circuit 22 despite being contained within bag 204. The amount by which wire end 202A extends from an inner surface of bag 204 depends upon the dimensions of device 100, the location of the slot which receives wire end 202A on device 100, and the location of the antenna portion 202B of antenna assembly 202.

During the time device 100 is boxed and thus unpowered, device 100 may nevertheless communicate using circuit 1. For example, firmware stored in memory 21 or other memory within circuit 1 or elsewhere in device 100 may be updated using circuit 1. Further, data may be downloaded into or uploaded from device 100 when bagged and boxed. Then, following purchase of device 100, the box 206 is opened and device 100 is removed from its protective bag 204. Removing device 100 from the protective bag 204 causes the wire end 202A of the antenna assembly 202 to slide out of its physical engagement with, and is thereby electrically disconnected from, the remainder of RF circuit 22. Thereafter, without an antenna for receiving RF signals, circuit 1 can no longer be used. This, along with possible additional authentication mechanisms and/or disabling settings made once device 100 is powered up through main power connector 26, provides a measure of security to prevent subsequent hacking of device 100.

In the event protective bag 204 is not used such that device 100 is placed directly within box 206, antenna assembly 202 may be disposed along and/or embedded within box 206. As shown in FIG. 4, antenna portion 202B may be disposed along an outer surface of box 206 and secured thereto using tape, an adhesive or the like. In the event box 206 is a cardboard box, antenna portion 202B may be disposed between adjacent inner and outer wall portions which form a wall or panel of box 206. Wire end 202A may extend from the inner surface of box 206, slide within a slot appearing on device 100, and at least temporarily connect to the remainder of RF circuit 22.

Components of circuit 1 may be included on the controller card of any product or device 100 that could potentially require late changes to embedded system firmware that is resident in on-board non-volatile memory. To prolong battery life, when circuit 1 is not in use, internal power source 10 is disconnected from processor 20 by way of switching circuitry 24, as discussed above. When switching circuitry 24 is closed, internal power source 10 is connected to processor 20, which is then capable of booting the re-programmed device.

As discussed, the radiated communication link, RF circuit 22, may serve a dual purpose in the example embodiments. A first purpose is communication and the second purpose is energy transfer. The energy transferred from the radiating RF source to circuit 1 is low, but is sufficient to support limited functionality. In an example embodiment, the energy is used to operate or control switching circuitry 24. When the RF circuit 22 is excited by an external field, it can direct the energy derived from the radiated signal to “flip” or close the switch of switching circuitry 24, thereby connecting internal power source 10 to processor 20 and the rest of circuit 1. Once this is accomplished, the RF link can then be used solely for communication.

As power source 10 provides power to circuit 1, processor 20 will begin executing code (stored in local non-volatile memory 21) that will allow device 100 to perform its intended operations. As discussed, the intended operations may include downloading firmware received by RF circuit 22 into memory 21, and/or uploading firmware from memory 21 to a destination via transmission by RF circuit 22.

The foregoing description of several methods and an embodiment of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. For example, circuit 1 may utilize a battery assisted passive RFID tag as part of RF circuit 22.

It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: processing circuitry; a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving RF signals at one or more frequencies; an internal power source; and switching circuitry coupled between the processing circuitry and the internal power source, the switching circuitry having a control terminal coupled to an output of the RF circuit such that energy from the received RF signals control a state of the switching circuitry to selectively couple the internal power source with the processing circuitry for performing one or more operations while a remainder of the apparatus is unpowered.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry comprises a processor and memory coupled thereto.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the internal power source is coupled to the processing circuitry, at least one of the received RF signals communicates at least one of an instruction and data to the processing circuitry for performing the one or more operations.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the RF circuit comprises a first antenna for receiving RF signals at a first range of frequencies for controlling the state of the switching circuitry and a second antenna for receiving RF signals at a second range of frequencies for communicating the at least one of the instruction and data with the processing circuitry.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RF signals comprise new program code and the apparatus further comprises memory having stored therein stored program code, wherein the one or more operations comprises replacing the stored program code with the new program code.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry includes an output signal coupled to the control terminal of the switching circuitry.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry, when coupled to the internal power source, selectively controls the state of the switching circuitry to decouple the internal power source from the processing circuitry.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal power source comprises a battery.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal power source comprises a capacitive member and the capacitive member comprises a first plate coupled to the RF circuit such that the received RF signals charge the capacitive member.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the internal power source supplies power only to the processing circuitry.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry authenticates a source of the received RF signals prior to performing the one or more operations.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RF circuit includes an RF transmitter and the one or more operations includes an upload operation in which data is transmitted by the RF transmitter.
 13. An apparatus, comprising: control circuitry; a radio frequency (RF) circuit for receiving RF signals at one or more frequencies; an internal power source; and switching circuitry coupled between the control circuitry and the internal power source, the switching circuitry having a control terminal coupled to an output of the RF circuit; wherein the apparatus is configured in a normal mode of operation and an off mode of operation in which the apparatus is powered down, and wherein in the off mode of operation energy from the received RF signals control a state of the switching circuitry to selectively couple the internal power source with the control circuitry for performing one or more operations.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the RF circuit is coupled to the control circuitry such that at least one of a command and data is communicated between the RF circuit and the control circuitry during the time the switching circuitry couples the internal power source to the control circuitry.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising memory, wherein the one or more operations comprises a download operation in which at least one of data and program code executable by the apparatus is downloaded to the memory.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the RF circuit comprises an RF transmitter, and the one or more operations comprises an upload operation in which at least one of data and an instruction from the apparatus is transmitted by the RF transmitter.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the RF circuit comprises a first antenna for receiving RF signals at a first range of frequencies to control the state of the switching circuitry and a second antenna for receiving RF signals at a second range of frequencies to communicate with the control circuitry.
 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control circuitry comprises a processor and memory coupled thereto.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control circuitry, when coupled to the internal power source, selectively controls the state of the switching circuitry to decouple the internal power source from the control circuitry.
 20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the control circuitry authenticates a source of the received RF signals prior to performing the one or more operations. 